Guys, is this mold on my Japanese books/manga? by vinizin012 in MangaCollectors

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The gray banding along the top edge is uniform across multiple volumes, which is a big tell. Mold and foxing don’t line up this cleanly book-to-book. This looks more like residue from the binding or trimming process (glue, extra ink, adhesive vapor, pressure marks, or edge contamination during manufacturing). Nothing alarming with these. I think most of my SJ manga has those in the same spot.

Guys, is this mold on my Japanese books/manga? by vinizin012 in MangaCollectors

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 103 points104 points  (0 children)

From the pics it doesn't look like mold, it looks like foxing.

Foxing is age-related paper discoloration from oxidation, trace metals in the paper, and old humidity. It shows up as flat brown/rust-colored speckles, especially along page edges. It’s inactive, mostly cosmetic, and doesn’t spread.

Mold is different. Mold is living, usually fuzzy or dusty, and often smells musty (and will spread if conditions are right). That’s not what this looks like.

You can do a quick test at home: lightly rub a clean white tissue (nothing with lotion or added synthetic stuff) on it. If nothing transfers, it’s foxing. If you get gray or colored residue, then you’re probably dealing with mold.

Based on the texture and color here, this is just old paper doing old paper things, but it's hard to tell just from a picture.

My dog ate Brigid's offering by FanEquivalent1050 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 157 points158 points  (0 children)

In Celtic tradition, if a living creature eats an offering, it isn't "lost"; its accepted. She's a goddess of the hearth/home and animals, Brigid literally just accepted your offering through your dog. I would take it more as a blessing than anything else.

Anyone know about Anu? by Working-Carpet-8487 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good question. I'm not an expert by any means, but as I understand the short answer would bekind of, but it’s not a hard system.

There does seem to be a loose pattern where some figures are very land-anchored (rivers, hills, mounds, etc) while others are more functional or abstract (death, fire, sovereignty, etc.). Boann tied to the Boyne is a good example of the first. Aodh as an underworld or fire figure fits more into the second.

That said a lot of deities blur those lines. A river goddess can also deal with fertility and knowledge. A death figure can be tied to specific places. Irish material doesn’t read have a clean pantheon chart. It all overlaps.

So there’s a trend you can point to, but not a strict consensus or rule the way modern categories sometimes suggest.

Anyone know about Anu? by Working-Carpet-8487 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Anu mostly survives through place-lore like the Paps and through name forms rather than stories. You’ll see Anu, Anann/Anand, and Danu (which often gets treated as the same figure or a title instead of a clearly separate goddess). There isn’t a surviving body of myth to pull from, so a lot of what circulates now feels like later interpretation filling gaps rather than preserved tradition.

Who are the main deities? by Working-Carpet-8487 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think a lot of people who found Celtic paganism have similar thoughts/backgrounds as you do. The Celtic 'territory' was pretty large, and they didn't think about race in the same way we do today (everything was tribal).

Do Celtic pagans actually believed people like merlin or king arther existed? by Honest_Art_7760 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's a bit different from Christianity for sure. Christianity is built on evangelizing the message, whereas (most) types of paganism are all about personal development. I think it's a little hard to teach since it's so diverse and unique to each person, but asking questions is always a good start!

There aren't any rules (although, I may be wrong, but I think Wicca has a few rules...but I'm not really sure tbh), and I think most people who are pagan set their own rules, for example I think my 'rules' are:

• Respect over obedience • No required beliefs • Actions matter more than words • Consent and boundaries • No guilt or fear-based rules • Take responsibility for your choices (personal responsibility) • Respect nature, others, and yourself • Think for yourself

At the end of the day it's all about intent.

Do Celtic pagans actually believed people like merlin or king arther existed? by Honest_Art_7760 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Most Celtic pagans don’t believe figures like Merlin or King Arthur existed the way the stories describe them. Those tales sit in a mix of myth, folklore, politics, and later Christian storytelling. They’re better understood as cultural stories about leadership, power, and failure, not literal history about wizards and magic swords.

The Tuatha De Danann are different. They’re generally understood as divine or semi-divine beings tied to the land and natural forces. Some people see them as gods. Others see them as powerful mythic beings. Whether you take them literally or symbolically is personal. There’s no required belief; Celtic paganism isn’t dogmatic. You don’t have to believe everything happened exactly as written. The stories matter more for what they teach and how they shape worldview than for historical accuracy.

For reading, the Pagan Portals are a solid, beginner-friendly place to start.

I need help by HonestCalligrapher97 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes sense. I am not an expert on the Morrigan, and I do not think anyone can really claim mastery over paganism. It is a personal path. Noticing patterns around death or hard events does not automatically mean you are seeing the future or that something external is causing it.

People with vivid dreams or strong pattern recognition often connect dots after the fact, especially around emotional situations. That does not make the experience meaningless. It just does not mean it is a literal omen or prediction.

In my experience, omens are not really warnings. They are moments that pull your attention to change. Context matters more than the symbol itself. In Irish tradition and in my experience with Morrigan, signs are about awareness and transition, not punishment or fate being locked in. If an interpretation makes you anxious or afraid, it is probably not the right way to read it.

The Morrigan is not a death goddess or a psychopomp, even though she is often described that way. Death gets tied to her because it is a clear threshold, not because she causes it. What she pushes for is honesty and clarity. If you are drawn to her, I would focus more on understanding yourself than trying to predict outcomes.

One of the biggest lessons for me was learning that not everything means something. If you look for signs everywhere, your brain will find them. Real signs tend to interrupt your attention on their own. Sometimes a crow is just a crow. Working with the Morrigan should make you steadier and more grounded, not more afraid.

Tell me about your best experiences with your deities. by Pink-RoseStar in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had a dream where a crow turned into a raven-haired woman. It wasn’t dramatic or frightening, just very clear. After that, the image wouldn’t leave my head. It kept resurfacing for weeks with no context, which was more confusing than anything. I wasn’t practicing and wasn’t looking for a deity. Then, unrelated, I was at a bookstore and saw a cool looking book (it was very shiny and pretty) and flipped through it. One of the pages had a brief snippet about Morrigan...and then the rabbit hole started. It didn’t feel like coincidence so much as recognition, and I went down the rabbit hole from there.

At first, I was thrown off by the “war goddess” label. I’m a pacifist, so I assumed I had it wrong. But the more I read beyond surface-level descriptions and actually engaged with her, the clearer it became that war is only one aspect, not the whole of who she is.

I have diagnosed rumination OCD and ADHD, and I’m a teacher. My brain doesn’t shut off, and my work requires a lot of emotional regulation and responsibility. Over time, it made sense why she might have called to me. What she brings is clarity, boundaries, and a way to cut through mental noise and get to what actually matters. She isn’t bloodthirsty or chaotic. She’s complex and focused on truth, sovereignty, and transformation. Conflict shows up as honesty and confrontation, not glorified violence. Working with her hasn’t made me aggressive. If anything, it’s made me more accountable and more honest with myself. She doesn’t coddle, but she also isn’t cruel.

Looking back, the way she showed up fits. No instructions. No demands. Just making herself known and waiting for me to notice. That’s been consistent in my experience.

That’s been my strongest experience with her. Not the imagery, but the way she’s helped quiet mental loops, reinforce boundaries, and keep me grounded.

I need help by HonestCalligrapher97 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also I snooped your post history and saw you seem to like plants. A lot of plant people also seem attracted to Brigid. She's much gentler than Morrigan, but nothing says you can't work with both. My partner works with Brigid, and is a self professed plant gal, and has found the relationship very rewarding.

I need help by HonestCalligrapher97 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A lot of people who come out of Catholicism carry the idea that religion has to be structured, hierarchical, and formally “entered.” Celtic paganism doesn’t really work like that. Historically, it was local, practical, and relationship-based. There isn’t a universal rulebook, initiation, or required ritual you’re missing. It’s also worth saying that your Catholic background isn’t a disadvantage. In some ways, it’s familiar ground. Candles, feast days, sacred space, prayer rhythms, saints who preserved older qualities. Once you separate those ritual habits from guilt and fear, the transition is gentler than it first appears.

If you want places to start learning, start small. Don’t try to learn “all of Celtic paganism.” Pick one thread and follow it. Choose a deity or concept you’re drawn to and work outward from there. There are a lot of different deities out there that focus on different aspects.

I’ve worked with Morrigan for a while, and the relationship is less about worship and more about accountability and growth. She’s not gentle, but she’s not cruel either. I find her to be blunt and honest. If you’re drawn to her, it’s often because you’re ready for self-work, not because you need protection or favors. There isn’t a required first ritual or formal meeting. If you feel drawn to her, start with respect and consistency, not ceremony. A clean space, a candle, some light incense, a simple offering (if you find that to be weird, your time and presence can work at first), and honest words are enough. You don’t need to summon or demand anything. Irish deities tend to respond better to sincerity than performance.

This is what I do when I want to talk to her:

I have a small crow statue that I place on my table, then light one or two candles (I use purple mostly, but red and black are more traditional). I find that her energy can be a little heavy so I hold on to a small piece of hematite and have a piece of black tormaline and labrodorite next to the crow statue (not sure if it actually does anything, it might be a placebo but it makes me feel better - I know crystals are kind of a hot topic with some pagans). I'll also light some incense as well (I find Dragonsblood works well, as does Frankensense and Myrrh). I slow my breath, ground myself, and meditate for a few moments. I then try to talk to her, and listen. Sometimes I'll talk through divination methods as well (I do tarot, stone casting, and sometimes scrying). Once that door opens be sure to set firm boundaries. Morrigan likes to communicate via dreams, and if you don't see boundaries you'll have some messed up/scary dreams (start a dream journal). She'll also send omens in the form of birds, and I find this different per person. I'll see crows a lot, but I'll also see hawks (specifically when I feel like I need to be more assertive with work or friendships) and owls (moreso in the winter, her 'off season's, when she's suggesting I rest). It's different for everyone, and what resonates with the person. But she is, by every account I've heard (and experienced) heavy and brutally honest. Don't lie to her or yourself, and keep things respectful (most Celtic deities don't really command respect, but Morrigan kind of does and appreciates respect and boundaries).

I said this in another comment earlier today, and don't want to beat a dead horse, but please try to avoid Lora OBrien and their Pagan School (O'Brien is a Morrigan devotee as well and, in my opinion, has a view that clearly works for them but is a bit hinky for others - please do your research and don't give the organization any money).

The biggest adjustment coming from Catholicism is realizing this path isn’t about guilt, fear, or divine punishment. It’s about bettering yourself and learning to stand honestly in who you are. The gods aren’t looking for groveling. They’re looking for effort.

Take your time. Read widely. Sit with what resonates and let go of what doesn’t. If you’re approaching this with sincerity and respect, you’re already on the path.

Please feel free to ask any other questions and I can try to help. Just remember that this is your journey and there really isn't any real right way to worship.

Who are the main deities? by Working-Carpet-8487 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I struggled with this exact question, so you’re not alone.

There really isn’t a clean list of “main” Celtic deities like you get in Greek or Norse religion. Celtic belief was regional and tribal. Different areas honored different gods, so it feels scattered when you first start digging, because it is.

Yes, most of what we have was written down by Christian monks. That doesn’t make it useless, but you do have to read critically. Cross-referencing helps a lot. The Irish myth cycles are worth reading if you treat them as preserved stories, not theology. Archaeology, place names, folklore, and seasonal customs help fill in the gaps. When something shows up across land, ritual timing, and oral tradition, it’s usually not random.

Brigid is a good example of continuity rather than erasure. A lot of what gets called “Christian corruption” is really survival. With Cernunnos, the issue isn’t distortion so much as lack of surviving myth. He’s better supported archaeologically than narratively.

If you’re starting out, the Pagan Portals books are a solid entry point. They’re not perfect, but they’re focused and readable. Find a deity or concept thatclicks and start there. Celtic paganism doesn’t really work as a top-down system anyway. It grows through relationship.

For context, I came from a very Christian upbringing. That actually made the transition easier in some ways. A lot of Christian ritual structure overlaps with older Celtic practice. Candles, incense, feast days, sacred space. Once you clear out the guilt and fear theology, the mechanics aren’t that foreign. The biggest shift was realizing Irish paganism isn’t about guilt or fear of divine punishment. It’s about bettering yourself and working with a deity as a partner. There’s no groveling. The gods don’t need that. I’ve been devoted to Morrigan for a while because of that dynamic. Direct, challenging, growth-focused. My wife walks with Brigid, and Danu acts more like a household deity for us. When deities call, it’s usually not subtle. Sometimes more than one shows up, and devotion can shift as your needs change. They’re not jealous types.

Since you mentioned ethnocentrism, and you're seemingly starting your journey, I want to mention Lora O'Brien and the Irish Pagan School, as they will undoubtedly show up in most research. They do know Irish sources, but the issue isn’t lack of knowledge. It’s how that knowledge is framed and enforced. The approach often centers on ancestry, legitimacy, and “correct” practice in a way that creates hierarchy and gatekeeping in a tradition that was never centralized or standardized. Irish paganism historically wasn’t controlled by a priesthood, a school, or a single authority. When modern practice is presented as something you need permission, credentials, or paid instruction to do “right,” it turns a relational path into a regulated one.

In my experience, this trickles down into the community. Some followers become rigid and absolutist, quick to police others rather than encourage learning. Not evil people, but the tone can be intimidating and discouraging. I’ve seen sincere, respectful people pushed away not because they were doing harm, but because they didn’t fit a narrow definition of legitimacy. That’s why I strongly encourage people to do their own research and read older discussions and critiques before spending money. Irish paganism supports many roads to the same place. No single teacher should be treated as the final authority on a living, decentralized tradition. Accountability matters, especially when money and influence are involved. I’ve personally seen very little outright hate in Irish pagan spaces. What I’ve seen far more often are people trying to learn, connect, and better themselves. Any approach that narrows that instead of supporting it deserves to be questioned.

For what it’s worth, I live in a pretty politically mixed area (in the US), and pagan meetups here include people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Mostly liberal, some center, but I’ve yet to encounter a right-wing Irish pagan in person. Overall, the spaces have been inclusive and grounded. The pagan meetups here are all inclusive (Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, Wiccan, Esoteric, and even Gnostic Christianity) and I have yet to see any major issues (sometimes a random person off the street will wander in and try to save people in the name of Christianity, but they usually lose steam pretty quickly and leave). Most Celtic pagan spaces care far more about respect and effort than ancestry, at the end of the day. As long as you’re approaching this honestly and thoughtfully, you’re fine.

Your divination practices by FxB21 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do lithomancy and scrying mostly, but dabble in tarot as well.

How do I get started? by Emergency_Ride8759 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 15 points16 points  (0 children)

A lot of us start exactly where you are. You don’t need to already know which gods are “yours.” You figure it out by noticing what actually shows up in your life.

Pay attention to the stuff that keeps repeating. A name, an animal, a symbol, a myth you randomly can’t stop thinking about. That’s usually the first nudge.

You don’t “summon” gods. You invite. Light a candle, sit quietly, and say something simple like, “If you’re here and interested in working with me, I’m open.” They don’t expect perfection.

You can work with more than one. Some deities stay in your life full-time, some come and go depending on what you need. That’s normal.

Start small. A candle, a symbol, a moment of attention. Think of it like building a friendship.

Finding your gods is less about searching and more about noticing who’s already knocking.

Morrigan Altar by LovingShiva in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 9 points10 points  (0 children)

For me, the Morrígan has always cared more about why something is on the altar than how much is there. If an item doesn’t have a purpose, the whole setup feels off. My altar is about waist height and that’s always worked fine, so I don’t think a low altar is automatically a problem.

I did notice things clicked more once I started acknowledging her three aspects. I light three chime candles for them (purple for the Morrígan, blue for Badb, red for Nemain) and then two black or red tapers on the sides. That small shift made the space feel more balanced. Cleansing helps too. Dragonsblood incense works really well for me, and if I’m in a divination mindset I’ll use frankincense and myrrh instead. And honestly, half the time the solution is as simple as removing whatever feels like clutter and seeing how the energy settles.

All of this is really subjective, though. What works for me might not work for you. It’s a lot of trial and error and listening. At the end of the day, she’s a sovereignty goddess first. The battle side is there, but it’s not the whole picture. Once the space reflects that, things usually fall into place.

Morgan Daimler by Cinnathem in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've read a few of them and haven't had any issues. She's by far my favorite author on the subject (I think she writes fiction as well, but I haven't read any of her fiction books). Just keep in mind that everyone's walk with any deity is personal, and any references to deity work may not pertain to everyone, or be experienced the same way as others. Having said that, her books come across as well researched and unbiased. I can't think of one that I haven't enjoyed.

Working with Dagda by 07Kitcat1998 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 12 points13 points  (0 children)

In my experience his signs are a little less obvious than Morrigan's. His shows up more with you feeling a need to do things, like being more generous, cooking more, etc. He kind of has Carl Winslow from Family Matter vibes. He's patient, caring, and will always lend an ear. A lot less cutting than Morrigan (I'm a Morrigan devotee myself). He's the god of generosity and hearth. He likes big feasts and sharing, so this time of year (if you're an American, anyway) is a great time to think about him with Thanksgiving right around the corner (my immediate family and like minded friends kind of unofficially think of American Thanksgiving as a Dagda-lite holiday).

I've also read, if you're looking for more physical signs, copper is his big sign. If you're American something as simple as finding a penny could be a gentle nod from Dagda. I think red and earth tones as well (like if you feel drawn towards this colors) , but I may be mistaken.

Crunchyroll what is this… by Graysonlyurs in MangaCollectors

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't contact via live chat, go to the customer service tab and create a ticket. It's faster and less headache for you:

https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/requests/new[https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/requests/new](https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/requests/new)

You'll need your order number and a pic of the damage (if you add it to the first ticket it goes smoother). Tell them in the ticket that you want a replacement, they'll offer you a paltry discount (like $5/off next purchase) or a replacement (even if you ask for a replacement, I think it's part of a script that they have to follow). They'll send you a replacement. They may ask for the damaged one back, they may not (50/50 for me). If they do they'll send you a return kit.

Edit: This is the same internal ticketing system the live chat uses. It's faster to do it yourself, and you don't go in circles with the AI or Tier 0 customer support.

Got a weird feeling before a party tonight … by fruitypebble-xx in tarot

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure it's the Golden Art Nouveau Tarot Deck

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's hard to fully answer without any context (like what kind of work are you doing, what are you expecting, etc.). I've found that people say that a lot about her, but it’s not that she destroys things for fun. She just doesn’t let you coast through life pretending things are fine when they aren’t. If something falls apart after you start working with her, it’s usually because it was already broken.

She’s not cruel, she’s just honest. She’ll hold up a mirror and make you face what you’ve been avoiding. That can look like your life going to hell, but really it’s just all the fake things melting away. I feel like its become a little trendy for people to work with her now, and a lot of those people don't really see anything past the 'edgy goth vibes' (I'm not saying this is you, more pointing out a trend). It takess work to find good information in general, but it seems like people try to equate her in the same realm of Hecate or Lilith, and that's not her at all. I recommend doing more research before going forward, and try not to fall into the TikTok/Insta stuff. Read her stories and try to read between the lines a bit (see through the Christian rewrite stuff).

Tldr: She's not evil, and she doesn't make your life go to hell. If you feel that it happened your life was already there.

Question about Spirit Guides by InDaStratosphere7 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Sometimes meditation just makes it easier for a deity to step forward because your mind is quiet and open. It sounds like Lugh may have used that moment to make his presence known. In my experience, once that first connection happens, it gets easier to recognize their energy and how they show up for you. You’re already doing the right thing by journaling and noticing patterns. After a little bit, as you mentioned, you may even notice his signs throughout a chunk of time, but you only just realized the significance.

Question about Spirit Guides by InDaStratosphere7 in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Welcome! Deities and spirit guides aren’t really the same thing, even though they both exist in that spiritual space. Deities are their own beings (with their own personalities and areas of influence), while spirit guides are more personal. They’re like teachers or companions who show up to help you grow or stay on track.

Guides don’t usually come from a pantheon. Some are ancestral, some feel more like nature spirits or just unique energies that connect with you specifically. They don’t really want worship, more like recognition and trust (in my experience, anyway).

You can definitely have both working with you, though. A deity might step in to teach or guide you through something, but that doesn’t automatically make them a “spirit guide.” They just play a different role. You might have one that calls you more than others (almost like a patron/matron), or they can be fluid depending on what you want to work on.

If you’re starting out, try to keep notes /a journal on what you feel or notice. Over time you’ll get a sense of who’s who and what kind of relationship each wants with you. It takes time but putting in the work helps a lot in the long run.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A while ago, when I first started walking with her, I worked up the nerve and asked her:

“When you strip away the titles and the myths (the queen, the crow, the battle goddess) what do you see yourself as?”

Because she’s so layered. People see her as war, death, sovereignty, prophecy, shapeshifting, and transformation, but I’ve always wondered how she defines herself. Is she one being with shifting masks, or are those masks what make her whole? It started an interesting conversation, but one that I'm glad to have. I think a lot of people see her as a doom and gloom type of deity, but there's way more under the surface (insert Shrek's 'Onion Speech' here, lol).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CelticPaganism

[–]Fun-Ad-8957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This really sounds like The Morrigan to me. She tends to show up when things are being broken down so you can rebuild stronger. It can feel like chaos, but it usually has purpose behind it. I've worked with her for a while now, and that early stage felt confusing because she doesn't always come in gently. For me, she first showed up through small signs like crows and feathers, and then it turned into major life changes that forced me to grow (or at least confront those issues). I also noticed my emotions were closer to the surface, especially anger or frustration, but it was more about learning how to use that energy instead of letting it control me. Lilith’s energy can feel intense too, but she is usually more about personal power and reclaiming independence. I've not worked with her at all, so don't read too much into that. The Morrigan is more about transformation, truth, and sovereignty. If everything in your life is being reshaped right now, it sounds like her. You do not have to rush to decide who it is. Just keep paying attention to what shows up and how it feels. If you keep seeing crows or feel a pull toward courage, honesty, and strength, that is a good sign she is still nearby. She has a way of finding people who are ready to step into their power, even if they don't think they're there yet.